Cooker.



A. `RI THOMPSON. COOKER.

APPLICATION FILED APII. 2. |913.

A. R. THOMPSON.

cooKER.

APPLICATION FILED APII.2. 1913. 1,172,501. Patented Feb. 22,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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COOKER.

APPLICATION FILED APR.2. I9I3. 1,172,501. rammed 113111916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

/N VEN TOR helical rail 6.

UNITED STATES` PATENT OFFICE..

ALBERT B. THOMPSON, OFSAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR T0 ANDERSON- BARNGROVER MFG. CO., 0F SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF cALiFoRNIA.

cooxmt.

Patented Feb. 22, 1916.

Application led April 2, 1913. Serial No. 758,306.

T 0 all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, ALBERT R. THOMP- soN, a citizen of the-United States, residing at San Jose, in the county of Santa Clara and State of California, have invented certain new andv useful Improvements in Cookers, of which the following is a' specification.

vdiscriniina'tingdisposition of the cans as delivered.

`With these objects in View my invention consists in the novel cooker which I shall now fully describe by reference to the accompanying drawings in which- Figure l is a side elevation of my cooker, a portion of the wall of the heating box being broken away. Fig. 2 is a part plan view and part horizontal sectional view of my cooker. Fig. 3 isa vertical cross section of the cooker, taken through one of its can-discharge outlets. Fig. I is a sectional detail of a 1,. irtion of the can feed at the inlet.

1 is the heating box. This may be heated by any suitable medium, hot water, live steam, hot air or any combination of these. For iilustration I show steam coils 2.

8 is a drain from the box, controlled by a cock ai, as seen in Fig. 3. /IVithin the box 1 is a stationary frame comprising two end spiders 5 and a peripheral seriesl of bars 5. To the bars 5 is fixed ahelically directed rail 6, said rail being best made of T-section with its leg portion projecting inwardly. The raill 6 has such a pitch that its coils are separated by a distance adapting the rail to receive and support the cans 7 lengthwise upon the arm portions of 'adjacent coils.

8 is a shaft which lies in the axis of the This shaft is mounted for rotation in bearings 9 of the box 1, and the frame spiders 5. as seen in Fig. 2, and said shaft carries the ends l0 upon which are` the rails 11, the shaft, ends and rails constltutmg a reel which rotates within the helical rail 6. The reel rails 11 are here shown as of angle section, one leg portion extending outwardly, and they are separated by a distance to admit the diameter of the cans 7 which they support, as seen in Fig. 3, and said reel-rails are separated from the helical rail 6 by a distance suiicient to admit the cans.

It will now be seen that the fixed helical rail 6 and the rotating series of `reel-rails 11 complement each other to form a continuous helically directed track or path for the cans, and it follows that a can introduced to this path at one end will be advanced through it by the rotation of the reel to the other end, and that by introducing successive cans, a plurality of lines of cans will be continually advancing through said path.

Though my improvements which I shall proceed to describe are applicable in general to any cooker, I have selected for their particular application in practice the' cooker above described; for a cooker of this type, having such a path as I have shown is peculiarly adapted for what is termed in thel canning art different times of cook. l It is necessary to cook the contents of the cans for different times according to their needs. The common practice of realizing this, by changing the speed of the conveying mechanism, or by changing the degree of heat is not satisfactory, either from a mechanical or an economical standpoint. Furthermore, though a cooker of this type lends itself well to another plan of reaching this result of different times of cook, namely by feeding the cans to the path at different points along its length and dischargingthem at one point, as I have disclosed in my copending applicatione-Serial No. 741470, filed Jany. 11, 1913, I have now found by practice that better results will follow the reverse of this plan, namely, feeding the cans to the path at one point and discharging them at different points along said path. A single example will suice to demonstrate this. Taking first the variable feed-point plan, it will be seen that if the machine be full of cans requiring the longest cook, and it be desired to change to a cook of less duration, say the shortest cook, time must be lost in awaiting the passage of all those cans of the longest cook which lie in the path between their point of feed and the point of feed for the shortest cook. But under the reverse plan all the cans being introduced at one point of feed, the lirst of the short cook cans can immediately and without loss of time follow the last of the long cook cans, and when the advance guard of the short cook cans reaches its pointof discharge, the controlling gate at said point can be opened and the short cook cans delivered, while the rear-guard of the long cook cans having already passed this point will proceed to its own delivery point. To carry out this idea and also to provide a novel, simple and ell'ective feed and a plurality of discharges, each of which is of a character adapted to be controlled and the cans discriminately carried away, I have the following constructions: In one side of the box, near its front end, is made an inlet opening A12, Figs. 1 and lhfroin which ex-v tends inward, through a cut-out portion at lilof the arms of the helix rail 6, as seen in Fig. ll, a run-plate 1l disposed to deliver the cans 7 by gravity through the cut-out helixv t3 to the reel-rails 11. From-the inlet opening 12 extends outward a guide-chute 15 to which the cans are delivered by an endless traveling feed conveyer 16, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. ln practice this conveyer receives the cans in an upright positionvfrom the capping machine, and in order to insure the turning of said cans to a recunibent position to enter the cooker, there is a curved hood 17 Fig. l, overlying the delivery end "of the conveyer and so associated with the guide chute 15 as to make it certain that the cans as they proceed about the head pulley of the conveyer shall fall into the chute 15 in recuinbent position, as the dotted lines in Fig. 1 indicate. 'l1 he endless conveyer 1G is carried by the tail pulley 18 and the head pulley 19, the latter of which is driven by a pulley 20 and a belt 20 from a pulley 21 on a counter shaft This shaft 22 carries an internal gear 23 with which meshes a pinion 24 on the main drive shaft 25, of

which shaft, 26 is the driving pulley. FromU the main shaft 25 the reel shat is driven through a worin 27 and worm wheel 28.

In the side of the box 1 are made the candischarge outlets 29. There is a plurality of such outlets, two, or as many more as desired being provided.. description of one will suffice. From the lower portion. of the outlet extends inwardly a run-plate 30 which leads to the helical rail G, as seenv in Fig. 3, the arm portions of said rail being at this point cut out as at 31, in Figs. 3 and 1, to permit the can to pass oiit from the reel rails l1 to the plate 30 by gravity. gate 32 hinged at 83 is adapted to control the discliarge outlet, said gate livery.

All being alike, a

nir/atei having inner lianges 3a which when the gate is closed will occupy the cut out spaces. 31 of the helix rail 6 and complete the track effect of said helix when the particular discharge outlet of that gate is not in use. Hooks 32 are used to hold the gate 32 open.

Secured to the side of the box and running along below all the can-outlets 29 are two parallel separate receiving troughs, the inner one being 35 and the outer one 36, as seen in Figs. 2 and' 3. ln each trough is a traveling conveyer 37 and 38 respectively. Hinged to the top of the partition wall 39 between the two troughs is a switch gate i0. There is one of these gates for each outlet 29. YVhen the gate is thrown over inwardly. that is, toward the box, as is seen in Figs. 3 and 2, it will cover the inner trough and serve as a platform to receive and direct the cans into the open outer trough. Vhen thrown outwardly, it will cover the outer trough and expose the inner trough and' thus allow the cans to be delivered into the inner trough. The effect of this double receiving trough and the switch gate is to discriminate the different cooks and keep the cans of each cook separate for separate de- For example, when the proper controlling gate 32 of a short cook batch of cans is opened, this batch, by the proper manipulation of its corresponding switch gate y-10` may be directed into that one of the troughs which is not receiving the rear guard oi' the batch of cans of the longer cook, and thus there will be no confusion or mixing up of the cans during the overlapping period 'of operation.

The delivery conveyers 37 and 38 are driven by pulleys il on the counter shaft 22. At in Fig. 1, is shown a belt tight ener and at 43 are indicated depression pulleys for the conveyors. a

ln a cooker of this type it is evident that provision should be made by which the operator may know with precision when the last can of a batch of longer cook has passed .a given discharge outlet, and when the first can of a shorter cook has arrived at Said outlet, so that he may open the same to permit the delivery of the shorter cook cans.

the preceding longer cook cans proceeding on their wav. Accordingly, l place an indicator at some convenient point where it can be easily seen. This indicator', as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. takes the form of a'graduated dial il over which plays a hand l5 which is frictionally driven by its arbor lli through gears at #L7 from a counter shaft 48 which is itself driven from the reel shaft 8 by gears at 49. lt will be understood that the graduations of the dial are so spaced and the gearing is so timed, that the hand which is started at zero when the first of the short-cook cans enters the box will move around to the graduations indicating' the several an-outlets and will arrive at any given graduation simultaneously with the arrival of the first of said cans at the outlet which corresponds with said graduation; whereupon the said outlet will be thrown into use by the operator. i

l claim:- y

1. In a cooker. the combination ot' a heating box having a caninlet and having also a pluralit\v of can-outlets arranged at successivelv increasing distances from the inlet; means for advancing the cans in the box trom the inlet to the plural outlets; meansA sep: atelv controlling said outlets for discharging the cans through any predetermined outlet: and separate controllable means for receiving the cans delivered trom separate outlets. 4

In a cooker, the combination of a heating box having a can-inlet and having also a plurality ot' can-outlets arranged at successive points along the can-path; means for advancing the cans through the` box; and an indicator timed to the travel of the cans to mark the arrival ot' a given can at any predetermined outlet.

3. ln a cooker. the combination ot' a heating box having a can-inlet and having also a plurality ot can-outlets arranged at successive points along the can-path; means tor advancing the cans through the box; means for separately `controlling the discharge oit the cans from any predetermined outlet. and an indicator timed to the travel ot' the cans to mark the arrival ot' a given can at any iiredetermined outlet.

l. In a cooker. the combination ot a heating box having a can-inlet and having also a plurality ot can-outlets: a can track within the box in communicative relation with the can-inlet. said track opening into each of the cau-outlets to deliver the cans therethrough: and gates for separately controlling said outlets, each gate carrying means coacting with the can-track, when the gate is closed. to continue said track past the outlet it controls.

In a cooker`r the combination otl a heating box having a can-inlet and having also a plurality of can-outlets; a can track within the box in communicative relation with the can-inlet, said track having a section omitted at each ot the can-outlets, to deliver the :ans therethrough; and gates for separately controlling said outlets, each gate carrying a track section adapted, When the gate is closed. to supply the omitted section ot the can-track at the outlet it controls.

(i. `In a cooker, the combination of a heating box having a can-inlet and having also a plurality of can-outlets; a can track within the box in communicative relation with the can-inlet and with each otl the can-outlets successively; means Afor advancing the cans upon the can track from the inlet to the plurality of outlets; means separately controlling said outlets to effect the discharge of the cans from any predetermined outlet; and separate controllable means for receiving the cans delivered trom separate outlets. I

7. l In a cooker, the combination of a heating box having a can-inlet and having also a plurality ot' can-outlets arranged at successive points along the can-path; means for advancing the cans through the box; means for separately controlling the discharge otl the cans from any predetermined outlet; a plurality of receivers each in communicative relation with all the outlets; and controlling means for directing the cans from any predetermined outlet into any ot the receivers.

8. In a cookeigthe combination ot a heatingbox having a can-inlet and having also a plurality of can-outlets arranged at successive points along the can-path; means for advancing the cans through the box; means for separately' controlling the discharge of the cans from any predetermined outlet; a plurality of receiving troughs each in cernmunicative relation with all the outlets; and switch gates associated with said troughs to direct the cans from any predetermined outlet into any of the receivers.

9. In a cooker, the combination of a heating box having a can-inlet and having also a plurality of can-outlets arranged at successive points along the can-path; means for advancing the cans through the box; means for separately controlling the discharge ot the cans from any predetermined outlet; a plurality of receiving troughs each in couimunicative relation with all the outlets: switch gates associated with said troughs to direct the cans from any predetermined outlet into any of the receivers; and traveling conveyers in said troughs to carry the cans away.

10. In a cooker. the combination of a heating box having a can inlet; an annular series oi rails within said box; a helically directed rail concentric with said annular series ot rails and complementing the same to form tracks for the cans; means for imparting to one ot' the components of said tracks axial rotation relatively to the other to etfect the advance of the cans on said tracks; and a pluralityof separate successive canoutlets in said heating'box communicating with successive points in the length of said tracks.

1l. In a cooker, the combination of a heating box having a can-inlet; an annular series of rails within said box; a helically directed rail concentric with said annular series of rails and complementing the same to form tracks for the cans; means for imparting to one of the components of said tracks axial rotation relatively to the other to effect the advance of the cans on said tracks; a plurality of separate successive can-outlets in said heating box communicating with successive points in the length of said tracks; and means for separately controlling said outlets to permit the discharge of the cans from any predetermined outlet.

l2. In a cooker, the combination of a heating box having a can-inlet; an annular series of rails within said box; a helically directed rail concentric with said annular series of rails and complementing` the same to form tracks for the cans; means for imparting to one of the components of said tracks axial rotation relatively to the other to eifect the advance of the cans on said tracks; a plurality of separate successive can-outlets in said heating box communicating with successive points in the length of said tracks; and gates for separately con trolling said outlets to permit the discharge ot' the cans from Aany predetermined outlet.

13. In a cooker, the combination ot' a heat ing box having a can inlet; an annular series ot' rails within said box; a helically directed rail concentric with said annular series of rails and complementing the same to form tracks for the cans; means for imparting to one of the components of said tracks axial rotation relatively to the other to etlect the advance of the cans on said tracks; a plurality of separate successive can-outlets in said heating box communicating with successive points in the length of said tracks. the arm portions of the helix rail being cut out opposite the outlets to permit the outward delivery of the cans to said outlets; and gates for separately controlling 'said outlets to permit the discharge of the cans from any predetermined outlet, said gates having inner flanges adapted Whe-n closed to tit in the cut out portions of the helix rail and to continue the track effect of said rail.

ll. In a cooker, the combination of a heating box having a can inlet; an annular series of rails within said box; a helically directed rail concentric with'said annular series of rails and complementing the same to It'orm tracks for the cans; means for imparting to one of the components otl said tracks axial rotation relatively to the other to eli'ect the advance of the cans on said tracks; a plurality of separate successive can-outlets in said heating box communicating with successive points in the length of said tracks; gates to separately control said outlets; la plurality of receiving troughs extending along said outlets; and means for directing the cans from any predetermined outlet into any of said troughs.

15. In a cooker, the combination of a heating box having a can inlet; an annular series of rails within said box; a helically directed rail concentric with said annular series ot' rails and complementing the same to form tracks Jfor the cans; means for imparting to one of the components of said tracks axial rotation relatively to the other to effect the advance of the cans on said tracks; a plurality .of separate successive can-outlets in said heating box communicating with successive points in the length of said tracks: 0'ates to separately control said outlets: a plurality of receiving troughs extending along said outlets; and switch gates adapted to cover and to expose said troughs tor directing the cans from any predetermined outlet into any ot said troughs.

1G. In a cooker, the combination of a heating box having a can inlet; an annular series ot' rails within said box; a helically directed rail concentric with said annular series of rails and complementing the same to form tracks for the cans; means for imparting to one of the components of said tracks axial rotation relatively to the other to ettect the advance of the cans on said tracks; a plurality of sepaate successive can-outlets in said heating box communicating with successive points in the length of said tracks; gates to separately control said outlets; a plurality ot' receiving troughs extending along said outlets; switch gates adapted to cover and to expose said troughs for directing the cans from any predetermined outlet into any of said troughs; and traveling conveyors in said troughs to carry the cans away.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specication inthe presence ot' two subscribing witnesses.

ALBERT R. THOMPSON.

Witnesses 'WiL F. Boo'rH, D. B. Ironanns. 

